Gutierrez: Hispanics saved Reid

"Latino citizens responded to Majority Leader Harry Reid's aggressive pursuit of immigration reform by voting for him in overwhelming numbers," he said in a statement. "They were clearly the difference in his victory."

Latinos made up 12 percent of Nevada voters, with 90 percent of them supporting Reid. Angle got only an 8 percent sliver of their support, according to a Latino Decisions poll.

Gutierrez said Reid deserved Hispanic support for his efforts to pass immigration reform in a hostile environment.

"He embraced immigration reform as his issue and many called him crazy because of it. When we went to him and said it was time to call for a vote on the DREAM Act, he immediately put it on the schedule. He stood by us. He fought for Latinos and immigrant voters and for sensible immigration reform that establishes the rule of law. Facing some of the most vicious political attacks I can remember, he responded with conviction and courage," Gutierrez said.

At the same time, he sent a warning to both parties about the Hispanic vote in 2012, and asked President Barack Obama to bypass Congress in implementing immigration reform if a Republican House doesn't let it happen.

"Neither political party can expect to win the White House without a significant percentage of the Latino vote," he said. "And they both know it."